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| Zeidan Bass |
For Zeidan Bass, a Computer Science major from Saint Kitts, choosing to attend the University of the Virgin Islands in 2023 to pursue his higher education was a no-brainer. Following in the footsteps of his brother and his cousins, he felt as though he was “following a family tradition.”
Being an international student from Saint Kitts, Bass said that UVI was the perfect place to prepare him for life on the mainland. “If I came straight from Saint Kitts to the mainland, it’s much more fast-paced. The adjustment here was easy. As much as it’s a U.S. territory, the one thing you never lose is the Caribbean uniqueness,” said Bass.
While many students find the transition to be challenging – particularly those coming from abroad – Bass says he had a “head start. After earning an associate degree at a community college, he found the academic transition seamless.
The one aspect that took him a minute to adjust to, however, was the social transition.
“Social life – that part was a bit challenging. That’s the first time I left home,” says Bass. "For the first three months of the semester, I ate by myself, attended events by myself, and I had no friends. It wasn’t until later on in the semester that I immersed myself in the community. The people here were never mean-- it just took some adjusting.”
Today, Bass admits that might surprise those who know him as he’s a “social butterfly” and a highly engaged campus leader.
In August 2024, he was elected President of the Student Government Association at UVI after serving as the Vice President for the Student Leadership Council since January of the same year. As the SGA president, Bass represented the student body on a national scale, stepping far out of his comfort zone.
“I would say my interpersonal skills are what I’ve improved the most at UVI, especially with my leadership positions,” he said. "I was forced to talk to people and to practice, and the more you practice, the better you get. I had to become comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
Bass went on to describe his experience as the SGA President as “the greatest time of my life.”
“From a networking standpoint, I sat in rooms with a lot of big names, which helps a lot on a professional level,” he said. “But the biggest thing was the impact that I had on student life. We were able to host events that enhanced the student experience. Being able to say that I helped students enjoy their time on campus was the best part.”
As he’s preparing to graduate and looking onwards past college, Bass noted that these leadership opportunities have prepared him well for life beyond UVI. He greatly encourages students to take advantage of these opportunities, as they’ll have an impact far beyond their college careers.
“I was able to meet people from different cultures and different backgrounds. Those opportunities alone gave me the exposure I needed,” he says. "Take advantage of the opportunities --don’t just sit around and go to class.”
He also emphasized the value of a real-world experience.
"Serving in the SGA prepares you much better for life in the workforce than a 4.0 GPA,” he notes. “It puts you into positions where you have to solve real-world problems.”
After graduation, Bass plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Cyber Security. While he may end up in the workforce in the interim, his ultimate goal is to attend Georgia Tech.
When asked what one word he would use to describe his experience at UVI, he said, “unforgettable,” adding, “you can’t compare it to any other HBCU… we’re the only HBCU in the Caribbean for a reason.” As he closes this chapter, it’s very clear that Bass leaves UVI with lasting memories – and a strong foundation for continued success.
